Elora gasped. It’s him!

  The familiar images of the man from her dreams came flooding into her mind and soul. Like a bolt of lightning, shock rushed over her as she watched him walk towards her. As with most dreams, the longer she was awake, the more the recall of the dream faded, so she never made the connection before. Ultimately, she was left with the lingering feeling but not the picture of the face of her haunting dream hunk.

  “It can’t be?” she whispered to herself. “It’s him? From my dreams?”

  Pushing away her surprise and nervousness, Elora greeted him as she offered a shy smile, ignoring how her tummy fluttered and her pulse thrummed. He flashed his famous sexy grin and her heart melted. As he casually strolled up the deck, she propped the door open for him and he stepped inside.

  Elora held out her hand to greet him. “Welcome to Kindred Acres, Brennen.”

  Instead of accepting her hand, he arched his brows. Their gazes locked and her knees went weak. The allure of his chestnut irises sent a shock wave of heat crashing over her and settled into her cheeks.

  “Is it okay if I hug you?” Brennen paused as he smiled.

  “Uh…” Stunned and elated, she tried to control the tremor in her voice. “Of course it is.”

  Brennen wrapped his arms around her and comfort rolled through her.

  Oh my word, she thought to herself. This hug could put all my broken pieces back together.

  Affection was something she quite adored but lacked a great deal in recent years. A hug from Brennen Wentworth was healing to the core. Elora was in awe, but surprisingly not starstruck. Empathic waves of sensitivity and turmoil flooded her. Underneath that striking smile was a kind yet troubled, sad man, looking for answers—looking for purpose. Their connection was immediate.

  The hug seemed to stop time in its tracks. Lost in the bliss of his arms, she remained still and took inventory of every sensation he evoked in her. Calm, safety, and joy. A heavenly mix of smoky cedar, bergamot, and musk wafted over her, intoxicating and delightful. Too soon for her liking, Brennen let go and met her gaze again, flashing a soft, one-sided grin. She could have sworn his cheeks were a little rosy.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” he offered as he stepped back. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

  She nodded as she grinned from ear to ear. “It’s my pleasure to have you here.”

  “I would have been here a little sooner, but I stopped—”

  “I know, Starbucks,” she finished his sentence. “I’m addicted, too. My favorite is pumpkin spice latté.”

  Clearly stunned, Brennen remarked, “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Alison said you were bang-on with even the smallest of details.”

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as she spoke. “It’s a good thing you slowed down on the highway. You passed a radar trap, didn’t you?”

  He dropped his mouth open. “That’s just uncanny.”

  Unable to keep up the charade, Elora snickered out loud and slapped her thigh in amusement. “Not really,” she smiled deviously. “I was out grocery shopping and passed it on my way home a few hours ago.”

  Their brief eruption of mutual laughter brought joy to her heart. Elora watched him as he glanced around the house. He looked toward the large bay window in the living room.

  “This place is beautiful. It’s all yours?”

  “It is. I live on five acres, alone, but the neighbors down the road are friendly and helpful.” She chuckled. “That’s why you were able to drive up to the door. Fred plows the driveway so I don’t have to shovel.”

  “Sounds like great neighbors.” He smiled and walked over to the window. “It’s like a winter wonderland. Everything is covered in a perfect blanket of pure white, glistening snow. It’s better than anything we could recreate on a movie set.”

  “It’s home,” she agreed. “I consider myself very fortunate to be here.”

  “What kind of trees are in your forest?” He pointed to the south side from the window.

  “Cedar, pine, maple, and oak trees.” She joined him at the window. A ripple of excitement rolled over her just with the proximity to him. He was here in her home. It still didn’t seem real.

  “Incredible,” he rasped in amazement. “You know, back home, this space would house hundreds of people in apartments with roads and sidewalks,” he chuckled. “Yet, everyone is always in such a rush to move there.”

  “Sounds crowded,” she replied as she grinned.

  Brennen turned to face her as the corners of his mouth pulled back into a million dollar smile. “Very much so. They don’t know what they’re missing…” He bit his bottom lip for a brief moment. “I mean, look at this place.” Brennen arched his brows and glanced around the room. “Loft-styled ceilings, open concept, hardwood floors, not to mention a gorgeous fireplace. It’s so peaceful and welcoming here. You’re beautiful…” He glanced back at her and narrowed his eyes and cleared his throat. “What I meant to say was you have a beautiful home.”

  “Thank you,” she forced a whisper and tucked a rogue strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks warmed. “It’s an 1870 limestone home. Four bedroom, two baths, a big kitchen, and some interesting nooks and crannies.”

  “Like what?” He tilted his head.

  “See that trap door in the middle of the floor?” She walked over to the open-concept living room. “It’s all water underneath.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “No, it’s called a cistern. When this house was built, there wasn’t indoor plumbing. Cisterns collect the rain water from the gutters, and it’s stored under the house. Always a reserve, which in the country can be important. Power failures and whatnot.”

  “That is such a cool concept. And eco-friendly.” Brennen paused. “Oh! I forgot something in the truck; I’ll be right back.”

  Moments later, he returned carrying a large package, wrapped with beautiful floral paper of purples and gold. He handed it to Elora.

  “What is this?” Trying hard to contain her excitement, she spoke softly.

  “I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”

  “You didn’t have to do this.”

  The humble way he spoke astonished her. Elora pressed her lips together to hide the quiver threatening to erupt, and her heart raced at the almost-timid look he wore. This Hollywood actor always seemed so confident in photos and on-screen, but his in-person shyness made him even more attractive to her. It showed the real man behind the public façade. She opened the package and stared in disbelief.

  “Lavender roses? How could you have possibly known?” She looked up at him.

  “Known what?”

  “These are my absolute favorite. Thank you, Brennen, you really didn’t have to.”

  “I really wanted to.”

  “This arrangement is breathtaking.” Carefully, she removed the vase from the box and sighed in admiration. It was exquisite. Lavender stained glass, with gold-leaf trim around the edges, it had a beautiful dragonfly etched on the front with magnificent multi-colors adorning its wings. The flowers were a dozen lavender roses mixed with baby’s breath and greenery. A full, luscious array, and it was all for her.

  “How could you know so much about me when we’ve never met before?” She stared at him in amazement. “Maybe I’m not the only psychic in the room.” She winked.

  “What do you mean?” He tilted his head a little.

  “Lavender roses, stained glass, the dragonfly, all my favorite things. How could you have known?”

  Brennen grinned. “I didn’t know; I just saw them at the floral shop and thought you might like them.”

  Elora was awestruck as she carefully placed the vase on the middle of the kitchen island to admire it. Hugging herself to ward off the chills of elation, she turned around suddenly and bumped right into him. Brennen caught her in his arms as they collided.

  “Sorry,” she gasped.

  “That was my fault; I was standing too close.”

  The sweet scent of his musk cologne enchanted her.

  “I didn’t mind…” Elora stood there, with her hands resting on his solid chest. A flutter of arousal rolled through her, followed by a wave of self-conscious embarrassment. The intensity of touching him suddenly awakened her. In an instant, she eased backward.

  “I’m sorry, Brennen. You must think I’m silly for getting so excited over flowers. Thank you, they are beautiful.” She maneuvered over to the kettle, trying in vain not to stare at his stunning features. “I can’t think of the last time I received flowers, and the vase…just incredible.” Why could she not pull away from his captivating gaze?

  “I’m pleased you like them.” He smiled coyly as though he’d just read her innermost thoughts.

  The physical draw to him was mesmerizing.

  “But seriously, Brennen.” She finally snagged her attention away and busied herself in the kitchen, trying not to sound ridiculous. How old was she? Thirteen? Come on, Elora, get it together, she scolded herself mentally.

  “Spirit says you really should cut back on your caffeine and sugar intake. It’s interfering with your intuition. That’s why you’ve been feeling so off lately and disconnected. You have a heightened sensitivity to stimulants,” she rambled on nervously and poured the tea. “This will help settle your nerves. Chamomile makes everything feel better.” She offered a bashful grin and handed him a large mug.

  “You’re absolutely right, on all counts.” He accepted the tea and shook his head as he smirked. “Amazing.”

  They sat together at the table in her reading room. Her tarot cards were placed neatly in a pile, rested on top of the black velvet tablecloth that covered the round oak table. The cream-colored candles glowed softly, and the candlelight glistened off the gemstones of rose quartz, amethyst, obsidian, and quartz crystal placed around them. Brennen took the time to inspect their surroundings, seeming attentive and fascinated with every detail.

  “Everything is just as I pictured it would be.”

  “How is that?”

  “Mystical…and ethereal.”

  “That’s quite a description,” she laughed softly.

  “What Greek goddess is this?” He motioned to her altar statue.

  “Uh…that’s Hecate.” Self-conscious, she didn’t want to offer too many details of her spirituality, in case her heritage made him nervous. “Close your eyes,” she directed with a hushed tone, and she did the same.

  Preparing to meditate, she opened one eye and said, “And by the way, the table shouldn’t levitate, my head doesn’t spin around, and you won’t find green pea soup projecting anywhere…I promise.”

  The sound of his laughter warmed her heart.

  “Close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose…” She coached him through the guided relaxation step-by-step.

  After several minutes of soothing meditation, she opened her eyes and began.

  “Brennen, I sense you have a great discomfort in your lower back off and on, shooting into your right thigh.”

  He widened his eyes. “Yes, for about two months now.”

  “It was a previous injury…basketball in college.”

  “That’s right.”

  “But I don’t sense your current discomfort is because of any new injury but rather the tension and discouragement you have been feeling. It’s been causing you to physically tense up and aggravate scar tissue. You haven’t been to the gym to unwind in weeks.”

  He nodded in agreement.

  “You feel crushed by a woman you cared deeply for and a man you trusted. This relationship you were in lasted six years and you truly believed was the right one for you. The friendship meant the world to you. I see two faces with betrayal…” Elora widened her eyes and stifled a soft gasp as she stared at him. Her throat grew thick from the empathic wave hitting her hard. “You discovered this on your own. You walked in on them in your own home…Brennen, I’m so sorry.”

  Brennen grimaced and he squinted a little as if to block out the pain. Elora watched as he avoided eye contact with her and focused on fiddling with rose quartz on the table.

  The pain reflected in his eyes made her heart ache for him. She studied how he clenched his jaw tight.

  “You have my word, Brennen, this remains between us. You haven’t told another living soul. Your privacy is the one thing you strive to control in a world you feel dominates every other aspect of your life.” She paused, assessing if she had said too much too soon.

  “It’s okay, keep going. Please.” He sniffed softly as his eyes glistened.

  The symbolic door in her mind’s eye slowly opened to his troubled heart. Elora often had this effect on her clients. Although it was often unexpected for them, it was part of the healing process she initiated with them.

  “Brennen, your session is completely confidential. This is a private space, free from cameras, and free from judgment. Part of receiving a reading is the need to let go and feel. You have protected yourself for so long from these emotions that you are inflicting damage on your spirit and your body from the lack of expression. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.” The brims of his eyes had reddened, and a single tear rolled down his cheek. Brennen dipped his chin down, concealing his devastation. He inhaled deeply and let out a shaky breath.

  The healing process was well underway. A wave of warm energy rippled through her; their connection was solidified and he was releasing some of his pain.

  Elora eased the nearby box of tissue over to him, a regular staple in her arsenal for spiritual healing. Nine out of ten readings resulted in spilled tears as she pulled back the emotional armor from the wounds her clients struggled with.

  “It’s okay. You’re safe here. Cathartic healing is a therapeutic tool if you allow yourself to feel during the process. We often seek readings in place of self-expression because it’s easier for a stranger to articulate what we are struggling with when we cannot.”

  The actor nodded.

  Not wanting to cause him distress, she pushed on, knowing he needed to be validated in his pain.

  “This woman you cared so deeply for, her intentions were not to hurt you but rather to protect herself. She had severe trauma in her early life and she’s just not capable of letting men get too close on an intimate level. You aren’t the first she’s cheated on and you won’t be the last. For you, physical intimacy has purposeful meaning. For her, it is merely a sense of personal control. She wasn’t playing a game with you; she truly thought she was ready. Only you can decide if you would be willing to take another chance with her.”

  Brennen pulled back and furrowed his brows. His aura suddenly glowed red.

  “However,” she spoke up before his anger amplified. “Spirit says once you have been betrayed, you never trust that person again. You will have to search your heart for the right choice.”

  “Never again,” he whispered and shook his head. “I won’t go through that again. I don’t want her back. The problem is, I don’t want—or haven’t wanted anyone since her.”

  “You needed time to heal. There is nothing wrong with taking a break from romance or relationships. I’m guilty of it myself.” Elora glanced around her home of solitude and exhaled her own sigh of release.

  “I don’t see how I can trust anyone again. It’s why I haven’t dated since…”

  “It takes time, Brennen. When you love, you give everything. That’s a lot to recover from. Don’t force it before you’re ready.”

  He slumped his shoulders and scrubbed his face with his palms aggressively. “Will I ever be ready again?”

  “Yes,” she offered emphatically. “Not when you plan to but when you least expect it. There will be a moment of pure clarity when you feel the darkened veil lift from your heart, and all will feel right again in your world. You’re closer than you think. You haven’t allowed yourself to emotionally let down until this very moment. I can’t even begin to describe how much further ahead that outlet just helped you progress.”

  A moment lingered between them until her guides’ chatter roused her from her thoughts.

  “There is a woman here wishing to make her presence known.” Elora adjusted her seat. “It’s your mother.”

  Brennen dropped his mouth open.

  “I’m so sorry; what a difficult time you’ve had this past year.” She offered him a tender gaze. “Your mother says you cared for her for several months before she passed. She wants you to know she is at peace, and you brought her great comfort.”

  Elora went on to share his mother’s messages, and Brennen cupped his hand over his mouth as if he tried to hold the pain and loss inside.

  When his mother stepped back from the light, Elora’s guides moved forward, and the intensity of the reading mounted. Tension filled her shoulders and her chest grew tight.

  “This project you mentioned in Toronto, spirit says you have written a movie script based on a historic and very real topic—a biopic of a well-known person. You are directing it, and it’s now in production. Spirit says this is the most pivotal project of your career. This movie will put you at the top of Hollywood’s blockbusters. It is powerful and touching, you’ve done your research, and the facts you have to portray on screen are thought-provoking, and perhaps a bit controversial. You’ve poured your heart and soul into this movie. I feel the story has great passion in the script.”

  “Yes, it’s been a long process. The research took so much longer than writing the script, but we’re finally ready to film it.”

 

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